Question 1

Our understanding of the solar system has come in a way that can best be described as:

Accepted Answer

A)  constant since prehistoric times.
B)  slow and steady since the discovery of the telescope by Galileo.
C)  erratic, with spurts when new planets were found.
D)  steady until the last decade, when the decline in the space program slowed it a great deal.
E)  explosive, with us learning more in the past few decades than in all previous history.F) A) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 2

The largest asteroid, and probably the only one to be a spherical "world," is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Eros.
B)  Ida.
C)  Vesta.
D)  Ceres.
E)  Gaspra.F) C) and D)
G) D) and E)

Question 3

The rotation periods of Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are difficult to determinebecause:

Accepted Answer

A)  they rotate so fast.
B)  they are all gas giants.
C)  they are so far away from the Sun.
D)  their surface features are obscured by their atmospheres.
E)  each one has a large satellite that interferes with this measurement.F) C) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 4

Contrast the composition of asteroids with that of comets.

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are rocky and/or met...

Question 5

An alternative to the core-accretion theory that explains the formation of the jovian planets isthe:

Accepted Answer

A)  differentiation theory.
B)  collision theory.
C)  gravitational instability theory.
D)  Big Bang theory.
E)  nebular contraction theory.F) B) and C)
G) C) and D)

Question 6

Which of the following is considered "interplanetary matter"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Titan
B)  Triton
C)  the Moon
D)  Ganymede
E)  Comet Hale-BoppF) D) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 7

The most detailed look we've had of an asteroid comes from:

Accepted Answer

A)  spacecraft sent to an asteroid.
B)  ground-based optical images.
C)  Earth orbital X-ray images.
D)  ground-based radar images.
E)  high-altitude UV spectroscopy.F) C) and D)
G) A) and E)

Question 8

Most comets spend the majority of their time beyond the orbit of ________, yet many of themhave perihelions very close to the Sun.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most comets spend the majority of their...

Question 9

Any model of solar system formation must explain why terrestrial planets and jovian planetsformed differently.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

A gravitational "sling-shot":

Accepted Answer

A)  causes comets to crash into planets, such as Jupiter in 1994.
B)  allowed the Apollo astronauts to reach the Moon in 1969.
C)  is the accepted theory for the formation of the asteroid belt.
D)  changes the speed and direction of a spacecraft nearing a massive planet.
E)  explains how the solar system was formed after a near collision with another star.F) A) and D)
G) A) and E)

Question 11

What is true about solar system densities?

Accepted Answer

A)  The denser planets lie closer to the Sun.
B)  In differentiated bodies, the denser materials lie near their surfaces.
C)  The asteroids all have about the same density.
D)  Saturn has the same density as water.
E)  Planetary density increases with increasing distance from the Sun.F) A) and B)
G) C) and E)

Question 12

All jovian planets in our solar system have at least eight moons and equatorial rings.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

In order to determine the mass of a planet by applying Newton's laws of motion and gravity,the planet must have:

Accepted Answer

A)  rings.
B)  moons.
C)  a solid surface.
D)  a known size and distance from Earth.
E)  planets further from the Sun than itself.F) A) and E)
G) B) and C)

Question 14

Of all the terrestrial planets, Mercury's orbit is most eccentric and tilted most above theecliptic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

In terms of ________, all the terrestrials are greater than any of the jovians.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In terms of ________, all the terrestrials...

Question 16

As the solar nebula contracts due to gravitation, the cloud:

Accepted Answer

A)  spins faster.
B)  expands.
C)  becomes more spherical in shape.
D)  changes direction of motion.
E)  begins to cool.F) D) and E)
G) C) and E)

Question 17

Name several characteristics the orbits of the eight planets share.

Accepted Answer

All orbit in almost circular orbits of l...

Question 18

Contrast the densities of the terrestrial planets and comets.

Accepted Answer

Forming close to the Sun, terrestrials a...

Question 19

One characteristic of the terrestrial planets is their extensive moon systems.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Which objects in the solar system have been least modified since the formation of the solarsystem?

Accepted Answer

A)  asteroids
B)  Kuiper Belt objects
C)  meteoroids
D)  terrestrial planets
E)  jovian moonsF) C) and D)
G) A) and E)

Exam 6: The Solar System: Comparative Planetology and Formation Models

One characteristic of the terrestrial planets is their extensive moon systems.

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The most detailed look we've had of an asteroid comes from:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is true about solar system densities?

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All jovian planets in our solar system have at least eight moons and equatorial rings.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Contrast the composition of asteroids with that of comets.

Correct AnswerverifiedAsteroids are rocky and/or met...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is considered "interplanetary matter"?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Our understanding of the solar system has come in a way that can best be described as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Of all the terrestrial planets, Mercury's orbit is most eccentric and tilted most above theecliptic.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Most comets spend the majority of their time beyond the orbit of ________, yet many of themhave perihelions very close to the Sun.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A gravitational "sling-shot":

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Which objects in the solar system have been least modified since the formation of the solarsystem?

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In order to determine the mass of a planet by applying Newton's laws of motion and gravity,the planet must have:

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The rotation periods of Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are difficult to determinebecause:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In terms of ________, all the terrestrials are greater than any of the jovians.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The largest asteroid, and probably the only one to be a spherical "world," is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As the solar nebula contracts due to gravitation, the cloud:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Contrast the densities of the terrestrial planets and comets.

Correct AnswerverifiedForming close to the Sun, terrestrials a...View AnswerShow Answer

An alternative to the core-accretion theory that explains the formation of the jovian planets isthe:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Any model of solar system formation must explain why terrestrial planets and jovian planetsformed differently.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Name several characteristics the orbits of the eight planets share.

Correct AnswerverifiedAll orbit in almost circular orbits of l...View AnswerShow Answer

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Asteroids are rocky and/or met...
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Forming close to the Sun, terrestrials a...
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All orbit in almost circular orbits of l...
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